Wireless charging surface

ABSTRACT

A surface with various layers that provide wireless charging may include at least one of a top surface layer, a second layer, comprising a plurality of lights and a power grid, disposed under the top surface layer, a charging pad disposed on a portion of the power grid, and a third layer, comprising a power supply which provides power to the plurality of lights and the power grid, disposed under the second layer.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates to an electrical charging surface and moreparticularly to any common surface, such as a surface with multiplelayers for accommodating an electronic device power supply via wirelesspower charging techniques.

BACKGROUND

A surface to place objects permits an individual to utilize the surfaceto perform various tasks. Over the years, the increase in power suppliedto electronic devices operating on the surface or near the surface hasincreased substantially. The power supplied to computers, phones,printers, lamps and other common surface top items usually includescords laid across the surface which decreases the amount of surfacespace available for other activities.

SUMMARY

One example embodiment may include an apparatus with at least one of atop surface layer, a second layer including a plurality of light sourcesand a power grid disposed under the top surface layer, a charging paddisposed on a portion of the electrical power grid, and a third layerincluding a power supply which provides power to the plurality of lightsources and the power grid disposed under the second layer.

Another example embodiment may include an apparatus with at least one ofa plurality of lights disposed on a power grid, a plurality of nodeseach providing power, at least one wireless charging pad affixed to asub-section of the plurality of nodes, the sub-section comprising aportion of the plurality of node, a power source which provides thepower to each of the plurality of nodes, and an uninterrupted powersupply (UPS) connected to the power source and configured to providepower when the power source loses power.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of a surface and correspondingsurface layers according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a surface top view of charging pads and correspondingdevices requiring electrical charge according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates another exploded view of the surface layers accordingto an example embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates a view of a top layer and the light source and powergrid layer with a charging pad according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates a view of the surface according to an exampleembodiment.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of the top layer and the LED and powergrid layer with a charging pad according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example computing module included in the layers ofthe surface according to an example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It will be readily understood that the instant components, as generallydescribed and illustrated in the figures herein, may be arranged anddesigned in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, thefollowing detailed description of the embodiments of at least one of amethod, apparatus, and system, as represented in the attached figures,is not intended to limit the scope of the application as claimed, but ismerely representative of selected embodiments.

The instant features, structures, or characteristics as describedthroughout this specification may be combined in any suitable manner inone or more embodiments. For example, the usage of the phrases “exampleembodiments”, “some embodiments”, or other similar language, throughoutthis specification refers to the fact that a particular feature,structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodimentmay be included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of thephrases “example embodiments”, “in some embodiments”, “in otherembodiments”, or other similar language, throughout this specificationdo not necessarily all refer to the same group of embodiments, and thedescribed features, structures, or characteristics may be combined inany suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

In addition, while the term “message” may have been used in thedescription of embodiments, the application may be applied to many typesof network data, such as, packet, frame, datagram, etc. The term“message” also includes packet, frame, datagram, and any equivalentsthereof. Furthermore, while certain types of messages and signaling maybe depicted in exemplary embodiments they are not limited to a certaintype of message, and the application is not limited to a certain type ofsignaling.

Example embodiments provide a wireless charging surface for a device torest against and receive a wireless charging current. In general, usershave a plethora of cords/cables that powers various devices situated onor near any common resting surface, such as a surface. Throughout thedisclosure, the word “surface” is referred to as any type of restingsurface which may contact or come within close contact of an electronicdevice requiring a charge. The term surface may be used interchangeablyand/or referred to as a desk or other types of apparatus, such as atable, counter, shelf, wall, ceiling, floor, rotating surface, movingsurface, mat, seat, window, frame, door, board, counter, deck, machine,kiosk, bar, etc. The surface could also be a portable item that can bemoved from one location to another.

Such devices which can be charged on the surface may include laptops,desktop computers, display monitors, printers, speakers, tablets,smartphones, wearable electronics, etc. The surface of the presentdisclosure is a surface that integrates multiple wireless charging padsto charge/power devices. The pads can be laid in any configuration onthe charging grid based on a user preference.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of a surface and correspondingsurface layers according to an example embodiment. Referring to FIG. 1,the surface configuration 100 may include a number of layers 110, 120,130, 140 and 150. In other embodiments, more or less layers may also beused. For example, the top layer 110 may be a relatively smooth surfacewith a transparent or semi-transparent surface permitting the light froma plurality of light sources, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs),incandescent, fluorescent, high-intensity discharge, included in thelayer 120 to be visible to a user attempting to charge a devicewirelessly.

A modular configuration provides a way to integrate multiple chargingwires and LEDs to charge a device in numerous locations on a particularsurface area of the surface. The multiple charging wires may accommodatevarying amperage voltage requirements of the various devices. The smartsurface has the capability to accept modular wireless charging pads orother charging device such as 160 and 162. These charging devices canre-charge and/or power devices via wireless charging capabilities and/oraccept auxiliary backup power via a battery source as an uninterruptedpower supply 136 which can operate when auxiliary power sources areunavailable. The second layer 120 includes one or more lights, such asLEDs 122 (or a grid of lights) which may also have an integrated powerarray to provide wireless charging power to any portion of a surfacearea of the charging surface.

The grid of lights and/or power grid may be considered a grid of nodesused to attach wireless variable-voltage charging pads or other devicesof all sizes. These pads permit a user to directly charge devicescapable of wireless charging or with a wireless charging adapter. Thegrid of nodes may be considered a combination of any one of a lightsource, a power providing conduit and a fitting to attach or snap-in aportion of the charging pad. Each node may provide a fixed amount ofpower to the charging pad. In order to notify the user of availablecharging areas, the lights can illuminate according to the area(s) ofmodular charging pads 160, 162 permitting the user to view the status ofthe charging performed by the charging pads. The lights may change colorto indicate they are, non-inclusively, at least one of: not in a correctarea, underpowered, errored, off/disabled, available for charge, andcharged. The power/electricity can also be optionally backed-up by arechargeable battery that can be integrated into the surface.

The surface can be managed by a web-interface or local network interfacefrom a client device connected to the same local network. When thesurface is not plugged into an outlet, the designated user device isnotified by a notification and/or an alert. Since the UPS 136 ishandling the power distribution to the charging devices, any devicesthat are being powered or which are recharging may be lowered to aminimum amperage to charge the device for a prolonged battery life whilenot wasting the limited available power of the UPS 136.

The grid nodes can be powered and/or used for attaching/securing thecharging pads via a fastening mechanism in each node. The powered nodescan provide electricity to the pads and support the position of themodular charging pads. The wireless charging pad voltage and amperagecan either be controlled/overridden manually via a web-serviceapplication (not shown) on the device that will be charged, such as fordumb/legacy wireless charging devices. Further, an auto-configuredcharging function may be applied using a BLUETOOH and/or an NFC couplingprocedure. Each wireless charging pad 160, 162 may have an E-INK displaythat auto-assigns a unique number in order for the user of the surfaceto identify different unique charging pads, as well as a LED to indicatethe power level. The wireless charging pad can also integrate NFC and/orBLUETOOTH which can couple/tether with a device with NFC and/orBLUETOOTH to confirm/match the configuration of the power output of thewireless charging pad in order to start charging/powering withoutdamaging the device.

The user may have the ability to override the ‘hand-shake’ setupprocedure which normally requires user input or confirmation prior toestablishing a charging session. The wireless charging pad 160/162,depending on its size, can power a single device or multiple devices.The layout, voltage, amperage, etc., can be viewed in real-time or nearreal-time on the web-service application in order for the user toview/confirm the layout as well as permitting the user to configure thesetup options.

The third layer 130 may have a plug 138 that is used to plug the surfaceinto a wall outlet for a continued power source. The third layer mayhouse the UPS 136, a power source 134 and a computing module 132 as acontroller to control the charging, the lights, etc.

The fourth layer 140 may also have a plug 144 that provides the conduits142 with power to power the components of the third layer and/or thegrid nodes 122 of the second layer 120. A fifth layer 150 is a backcover which serves to protect to the bottom portion of the surface.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top view perspective of the charging pads andcorresponding devices requiring electrical charge according to anexample embodiment. Referring to FIG. 2, the top view of the surface 200may include the top surface layer 110 with multiple devices 212, 214 and216 resting thereon each of which may require charge to operate. Theexample charging pads 160, 162 may be disposed on the second layer 120and may be viewable via the transparent or semi-transparent top layer110 of the surface. Once the pads are in position, the lights may changecolor, dim capacity, flash, etc., to indicate the pads are ready tocharge one or more devices.

In one example, a user has a compatible charge-ready device. The usermay select a sub-region of surface area to place the wireless chargingpad(s) on a desired location underneath the working surface of the topsurface and directly on the grid layer 120. The user may access eitherthe web-interface or the application connected to the surface'scomputing module or web server to configure the newly placed chargingpads 160, 162. In other embodiments, the newly placed charging pads 160,162 can automatically be configured based on communication directly orindirectly between the pads and the application. The user may set an“automatic handshake” with a BLUETOOTH or NFC charging component and seean outline of the lights indicating that the portion of the surface isnow available to power and/or charge devices. The user can place adevice on the general area of the charging pad(s) and the lightindication may indicate that the device is charging by automaticsynchronization of voltage/amperage data exchange via NFC or otherprotocol.

In another example, a user may have a legacy wireless charging device.The user may place the wireless charging pad on a preferred locationunderneath the working surface of the surface of the grid layer 120which can be pulled out or otherwise electronically extended similar toa surface extension via a rolling mechanism or other movementconfiguration. The user can access either the web-interface orapplication connected to the surface computing module or web serverinterface to configure the newly placed charging pad. The user can thenselect the device that will be charged via various profiles that can bepre-configured. The user can then see an outline, color, indication oflights indicating that the portion of the surface with the charging padis now available to power and/or recharge devices. The user can place anelectronic device on the general area of the light indication and thedevice begins charging by automatic synchronization of voltage/amperagedata exchange via NFC or another known wireless charging protocols andtechnologies.

In another example, the user may use the devices powered by the surfacewhen the power outlet is no longer functioning due to a power outage.The surface backup power supply 136 may initiate operation and theuser's devices can still be powered and/or charging, although at aslower rate and with limited power available from the battery. The useris notified of this limited power situation and can be provided withvarious data via numerous communications, such as a notification in theapplication, an email and/or SMS message. The battery life meter orother information may be provided to the user interface to indicate theamount of battery power available.

FIG. 3 illustrates another exploded view of the surface layers accordingto an example embodiment. Referring to FIG. 3, the surface 300 isillustrated as having a top surface 110 with a set of modular sectionsabove a lower portion of the surface 150. The larger components embeddedinside the surface cavity include a UPS 136, a computing module 132 anda power supply 134. The grid of nodes may be positioned directly insidethe top portion 110 as a pull-out section enabling a user to customizethe locations of the wireless charging pads.

FIG. 4 illustrates a view of the top layer and the lights and a chargingpower grid layer with a charging pad according to an example embodiment.Referring to FIG. 4, the configuration 400 includes the grid 120 havingbeen partially removed or extended from the surface top portion 110 anda charging pad 160 having been placed at one corner of the grid array.

FIG. 5 illustrates a view of the surface 500 according to an exampleembodiment. Referring to FIG. 5, the top of the surface 110 is shown ina normal working manner. The top layer or a portion of the top layer maybe transparent or semi-transparent to permit the charging pad and lightsto be visible to the user. The charging grid will require a RF orelectrical permeable surface so the charge can reach the device disposedabove the charging pad. In one embodiment, the charging pad will notmake physical contact with the devices to be charged as the top layer isdisposed between the pad and the device, however, the charge can stillreach the device in the event that the material of the top surfacepermits the RF permeable transmission of charge signals.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of the top layer and the LED and chargingpower grid layer with a charging pad according to an example embodiment.The example view of FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 5, however, the entirelayer 120 is removed or extended from the surface to illustrate thetransportability of the charging layer 120.

One example method of operation may include providing a charging surfacewith switchable components including a grid of lights, a set of wirelesscharging pads, a power connector, a rechargeable battery, and acomputing module capable of receiving user configuration commandscontrolling device access to the wireless powering system. Layering thegrid of lights beneath the charging surface, and interlocking theswitchable components forming the charging surface provides a totalsurface surface area for a potential charging platform.

One example device configuration may include an apparatus with a topsurface layer, a second layer including a plurality of lights and aplurality of electrical powered wires (or grid) disposed under the topsurface layer, a charging pad disposed on at least a portion of thegrid, and a third layer including a power supply which provides power tothe plurality of LEDs and the plurality of charging wires disposed underthe second layer.

The third layer can be connected to the second layer via at least oneconduit which provides power to the LEDs and the charging wires via awired power source. The second layer may receive a plurality ofremovable wireless charging pads disposed on sub-sections of a surfacearea of the second layer. The third layer further includes anuninterrupted power supply (UPS) and a computing module configured tocontrol the power supplied to the plurality of wireless charging pads.The computing module is configured to change a color of the lights toindicate at least one of charging, not charging, error charging, etc.The color, intensity, pattern of the lights may change in an areacovered by the at least one charging pad. The fourth layer includes aplurality of conduits providing power to the UPS, the power supply andthe computing module of the third layer, the fourth layer is disposedunder the third layer.

The above embodiments may be implemented in hardware, in a computerprogram executed by a processor, in firmware, or in a combination of theabove. A computer program may be embodied on a computer readable medium,such as a storage medium. For example, a computer program may reside inrandom access memory (“RAM”), flash memory, read-only memory (“ROM”),erasable programmable read-only memory (“EPROM”), electrically erasableprogrammable read-only memory (“EEPROM”), registers, hard disk, aremovable disk, a compact disk read-only memory (“CD-ROM”), or any otherform of storage medium known in the art.

An exemplary storage medium may be coupled to the processor such thatthe processor may read information from, and write information to, thestorage medium. In the alternative, the storage medium may be integralto the processor. The processor and the storage medium may reside in anapplication specific integrated circuit (“ASIC”). In the alternative,the processor and the storage medium may reside as discrete components.For example, FIG. 7 illustrates an example network element 700, whichmay represent or be integrated in any of the above-described components,etc.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, a memory 710 and a processor 720 may bediscrete components of a network entity 700 that are used to execute anapplication or set of operations as described herein. The applicationmay be coded in software in a computer language understood by theprocessor 720, and stored in a computer readable medium, such as, amemory 710. The computer readable medium may be a non-transitorycomputer readable medium that includes tangible hardware components,such as memory, that can store software. Furthermore, a software module730 may be another discrete entity that is part of the network entity700, and which contains software instructions that may be executed bythe processor 720 to effectuate one or more of the functions describedherein. In addition to the above noted components of the network entity700, the network entity 700 may also have a transmitter and receiverpair configured to receive and transmit communication signals (notshown).

Although an exemplary embodiment of at least one of a system, method,and non-transitory computer readable medium has been illustrated in theaccompanied drawings and described in the foregoing detaileddescription, it will be understood that the application is not limitedto the embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements,modifications, and substitutions as set forth and defined by thefollowing claims. For example, the capabilities of the system of thevarious figures can be performed by one or more of the modules orcomponents described herein or in a distributed architecture and mayinclude a transmitter, receiver or pair of both. For example, all orpart of the functionality performed by the individual modules, may beperformed by one or more of these modules. Further, the functionalitydescribed herein may be performed at various times and in relation tovarious events, internal or external to the modules or components. Also,the information sent between various modules can be sent between themodules via at least one of: a data network, the Internet, a voicenetwork, an Internet Protocol network, a wireless device, a wired deviceand/or via plurality of protocols. Also, the messages sent or receivedby any of the modules may be sent or received directly and/or via one ormore of the other modules.

One skilled in the art will appreciate that a “system” could be embodiedas a personal computer, a server, a console, a personal digitalassistant (PDA), a cell phone, a tablet computing device, a smartphoneor any other suitable computing device, or combination of devices.Presenting the above-described functions as being performed by a“system” is not intended to limit the scope of the present applicationin any way, but is intended to provide one example of many embodiments.Indeed, methods, systems and apparatuses disclosed herein may beimplemented in localized and distributed forms consistent with computingtechnology.

It should be noted that some of the system features described in thisspecification have been presented as modules, in order to moreparticularly emphasize their implementation independence. For example, amodule may be implemented as a hardware circuit comprising custom verylarge scale integration (VLSI) circuits or gate arrays, off-the-shelfsemiconductors such as logic chips, transistors, or other discretecomponents. A module may also be implemented in programmable hardwaredevices such as field programmable gate arrays, programmable arraylogic, programmable logic devices, graphics processing units, or thelike.

A module may also be at least partially implemented in software forexecution by various types of processors. An identified unit ofexecutable code may, for instance, comprise one or more physical orlogical blocks of computer instructions that may, for instance, beorganized as an object, procedure, or function. Nevertheless, theexecutables of an identified module need not be physically locatedtogether, but may comprise disparate instructions stored in differentlocations which, when joined logically together, comprise the module andachieve the stated purpose for the module. Further, modules may bestored on a computer-readable medium, which may be, for instance, a harddisk drive, flash device, random access memory (RAM), tape, or any othersuch medium used to store data.

Indeed, a module of executable code could be a single instruction, ormany instructions, and may even be distributed over several differentcode segments, among different programs, and across several memorydevices. Similarly, operational data may be identified and illustratedherein within modules, and may be embodied in any suitable form andorganized within any suitable type of data structure. The operationaldata may be collected as a single data set, or may be distributed overdifferent locations including over different storage devices, and mayexist, at least partially, merely as electronic signals on a system ornetwork.

It will be readily understood that the components of the application, asgenerally described and illustrated in the figures herein, may bearranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations.Thus, the detailed description of the embodiments is not intended tolimit the scope of the application as claimed, but is merelyrepresentative of selected embodiments of the application.

One having ordinary skill in the art will readily understand that theabove may be practiced with steps in a different order, and/or withhardware elements in configurations that are different than those whichare disclosed. Therefore, although the application has been describedbased upon these preferred embodiments, it would be apparent to those ofskill in the art that certain modifications, variations, and alternativeconstructions would be apparent.

While preferred embodiments of the present application have beendescribed, it is to be understood that the embodiments described areillustrative only and the scope of the application is to be definedsolely by the appended claims when considered with a full range ofequivalents and modifications (e.g., protocols, hardware devices,software platforms etc.) thereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus, comprising: a top surface layer; asecond layer, comprising a plurality of lights and a power grid,disposed under the top surface layer; a charging pad disposed on aportion of the power grid; and a third layer, comprising a power supplywhich provides power to the plurality of lights and the power grid,disposed under the second layer.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe third layer is connected to the second layer via at least oneconduit which provides power to the plurality of lights and the powergrid via a wired power source.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein thecharging pad is a plurality of removable wireless charging pads disposedon sub-sections of a surface area of the second layer.
 4. The apparatusof claim 3, wherein the third layer further comprises an uninterruptedpower supply (UPS) and a computing module configured to control thepower supplied to the plurality of removable wireless charging pads. 5.The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the computing module is configured tochange a color of the lights to indicate at least one of charging, notcharging, and error charging.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein thecolor of the lights changes in an area covered by the charging pad. 7.The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a fourth layer comprising aplurality of conduits that provide power to the UPS, the power supplyand the computing module of the third layer, the fourth layer disposedunder the third layer.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein theplurality of lights comprise a plurality of light emitting diodes(LEDs).
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the top surface layer istransparent and permits the light from the plurality of LEDs to bevisible.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power grid comprisesa plurality of nodes that each provide a fixed amount of voltage to thecharging pad.
 11. An apparatus, comprising: a plurality of lightsdisposed on a power grid; and a plurality of nodes that each providepower; at least one wireless charging pad affixed to a sub-section ofthe plurality of nodes, the sub-section comprising a portion of theplurality of nodes; a power source which provides the power to each ofthe plurality of nodes; and an uninterrupted power supply connected tothe power source and configured to provide power when the power sourceloses power.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising at leastone conduit which provides power to the plurality of lights and thepower grid via a wired power source.
 13. The apparatus of claim 11,wherein the at least one wireless charging pad comprises a plurality ofremovable wireless charging pads disposed on the power grid.
 14. Theapparatus of claim 13, further comprising a computing module configuredto control the power supplied to the plurality of removable wirelesscharging pads.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the computingmodule is configured to change a color of the plurality of lights toindicate at least one of charging, not charging, and error charging. 16.The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the color of the lights changes in anarea covered by the charging pad.
 17. The apparatus of claim 14, furthercomprising a plurality of conduits that provide power to theuninterrupted power supply, the power supply and the computing module ofthe third layer.
 18. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the plurality oflights comprise a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs).
 19. Theapparatus of claim 18, further comprising a transparent surface layerdisposed over the power grid that permits the light from the pluralityof LEDs to be visible.
 20. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the powerof each of the plurality of nodes is a fixed amount of voltage.